Customizing mirror virtual machine(s)

ABSTRACT

Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: synchronizing, by one or more processor, first virtual machine(s) with a second virtual machine, the synchronizing comprising mirroring first input events to the first virtual machine(s); and customizing, by the one or more processor, the first virtual machine(s), the customizing comprising suspending the synchronizing and facilitating sending of second input events to the first virtual machine(s). In one embodiment, the synchronizing comprises cloning the second virtual machine to create the first virtual machine(s), the cloning comprising initializing the first virtual machine(s), and copying second virtual machine state information to the first virtual machine(s). In another embodiment, the customizing comprises decrementing an available first virtual machine counter, and the synchronizing comprises cloning the second virtual machine to create another first virtual machine responsive to the available first virtual machine counter having a certain value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to virtualization technologies, includingvirtual networking and virtual computing, and more particularly tomethods, computer program products, and systems for customizing mirrorvirtual machines of, for example, a demonstration virtual machine.

BACKGROUND

During the course of an educational or training program, it may bedesirable for a demonstrator to demonstrate the use of computer basedtechnologies to multiple attendees, for example, knowledge workersattending an educational training program. For example, by making use ofcomputer networking technologies, such training may be conductedremotely, with a demonstrator performing tasks on one computer system inone location, and with the output of the one computer system mirrored ordisplayed to multiple remote attendees who attend virtually throughremote access nodes in remote locations.

Conventional internet-based presentation technologies allow a singledemonstrator to control and present a slide show or a computer desktopto multiple remote attendees. In such a case, all attendees will havethe same view into a specific application, such as a slide showapplication, or a specific graphical user interface, such as a desktop,controlled by the demonstrator. The singular demonstrator role may bepassed sequentially to various attendees, allowing a limited opportunityfor interaction by attendees, on a one-by-one basis.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additionaladvantages are provided, through the provision, in one aspect, of amethod. The method includes, for example, synchronizing, by one or moreprocessor, at least one first virtual machine with a second virtualmachine. The synchronizing includes mirroring first input events to theat least one first virtual machine. The method further includescustomizing, by the one or more processor, the at least one firstvirtual machine. The customizing includes suspending the synchronizingand facilitating sending of second input events to the at least onefirst virtual machine.

In another aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computerprogram product includes a computer readable storage medium readable byone or more processor and storing instructions for execution by the oneor more processor for performing a method. The method includes, forexample, synchronizing, by one or more processor, at least one firstvirtual machine with a second virtual machine. The synchronizingincludes mirroring first input events to the at least one first virtualmachine. The method further includes customizing, by the one or moreprocessor, the at least one first virtual machine. The customizingincludes suspending the synchronizing and facilitating sending of secondinput events to the at least one first virtual machine.

In a further aspect, a system is provided. The system includes, forinstance a memory. In addition, the system includes one or moreprocessor in communication with the memory. Further, the system includesprogram instructions executable by the one or more processor via thememory to perform a method. The method includes, for example,synchronizing, by one or more processor, at least one first virtualmachine with a second virtual machine. The synchronizing includesmirroring first input events to the at least one first virtual machine.The method further includes customizing, by the one or more processor,the at least one first virtual machine. The customizing includessuspending the synchronizing and facilitating sending of second inputevents to the at least one first virtual machine.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesset forth herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detailherein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusionof the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a hardware overview of a computing node, in accordancewith one or more aspects set forth herein;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a system, in accordance with oneor more aspects set forth herein;

FIG. 6 depicts one or more embodiments of a process for customizingmirror virtual machines, in accordance with one or more aspects setforth herein; and

FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrams illustrating further aspects of a process forcustomizing mirror virtual machines, in accordance with one or moreaspects set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure and certain features, advantages, anddetails thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to thenon-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Descriptions of well-known materials, fabrication tools, processingtechniques, etc., are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure thedisclosure in detail. It should be understood, however, that thedetailed description and the specific examples, while indicating aspectsof the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by wayof limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/orarrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventiveconcepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

The present disclosure provides, in part, methods, computer programproducts, systems, network devices, and virtual machine managementsoftware for synchronizing and/or customizing mirror virtual machines,for example, to provide a new education mechanism, and/or to allowenable attendees of a demonstration or training involving computertechnologies to have individual experiences during the demonstration ortraining.

Typically, during a demonstration or training, such as an educationalsession in a classroom or online, a host or demonstrator shares outputof a computer with attendees. In such a case, all of the attendeesnon-interactively watch the presentation or demonstration, as thedemonstrator shares the output, and shows interactions with the computerenvironment, including clicking links, copying test or images, etc., inconjunction with training on a computer system, such as a productionserver.

Unfortunately, such traditional models require all attendees to followalong as a demonstrator shares and explains use of the computer system.This does not meet the needs of attendees who desire to explore otheraspects of the computer system, for example loading other files,clicking other links, etc., reducing the overall effectiveness of thedemonstration or training, and preventing attendees from acquiringindividual experience during the training.

Techniques disclosed herein allow for individual attendees to branch offfrom a demonstration and follow a different, customized path, withoutinterfering with other attendees who either choose to follow along withthe demonstrator or branch off into their own paths. In addition,techniques described herein allow for such an individual attendee toreturn to the demonstration after finishing a customized path.

In one or more embodiments, cloud based technologies may be used toallow individual attendees using individual attendee computing nodes toeither synchronize with a demonstrator or customize a demonstration ortraining by suspending synchronization and branching off into a mirrorvirtual machine. For example, a system may be used to conduct educationor training by using virtual machine technologies. In such a case, aspeaker may operate a meeting virtual machine for the presentations ordemonstrations. In one embodiment, a back-end system may synchronize aspeaker's operations to other mirror virtual machines, which may besaved in a virtual machine pool. If attendees only want to follow thespeaker's demonstration, the attendees can simply share the screen ofthe speaker's operations, and watch the demonstration.

For example, if attendees would like to explore an idea that is notcovered by the speaker, the attendees can each request an individualenvironment, e.g., a mirror virtual machines, which are synchronizedwith the speaker's virtual machine up to that point in time. In such acase, the synchronizing can be paused, and each of the attendees can nowcontrol their individual mirror virtual machines to conduct any separateoperations and/or have individual practice experience with the subjectof the demonstration or training. For example, after an attendee hasfinished individual operation, the attendee can drop such anenvironment, and return to following the speaker's presentation ordemonstration. In addition, the speaker can control the attendees'privileges, and control the number or mirror virtual machines availablein the synchronized pool of virtual machines.

In one embodiment, an administrator or speaker may prepare atraining/education environment as a “meeting virtual machine” before aclass or session begins, and share the meeting virtual machine desktopwith all remote attendees. Next, a service virtual machine may be usedto provide necessary function for end-user (attendee) sharing, requesthandling, virtual machine management, and/or synchronization with aback-end. Next, if an end-user wants to have an individual environment,a service virtual machine can give mirror virtual machine connectioninformation to an end-user, stop the synchronization of the meetingvirtual machine with the mirror virtual machine, and auto-start-up aremote access client to the mirror virtual machine.

In another embodiment, a virtual machine controller may control thequantity of mirror virtual machines, and if the quantity is lower than acertain configured threshold, the virtual machine controller mayinitiate a fast clone action to clone some mirror virtual machines fromthe meeting virtual machines, and synchronize any speaker actions thatoccur after the cloning. In such a case, the cloned and configuredmirror virtual machine can be added to a virtual machine pool, and keptsynchronized with events and keyboard/mouse input of thespeaker/demonstrator.

In a further embodiment, an overlay network with virtual extensiblelocal area network (VXLAN) technology may be used to isolate meetingvirtual machines and mirror virtual machines, to help synchronizekeyboard and mouse events, facilitate network and hostname relatedoperations, and support high-availability load balancing.

Advantageously, techniques described herein allow all education andtraining attendees a chance to operate the same environment (e.g.,computer application, operating system, production system, etc.) as thespeaker, allowing for enough attendee interaction to ensure robusttraining outcomes, reducing boredom from lengthy times of sitting andlooking by attendees, keeping the attendees' attention and improvinglearning efficiency. In addition, such techniques may be suitable forremote educational and/or classroom environments, and the host ordemonstrator can control the specific parameters, enable or disableindividualized learning, etc.

Reference is made below to the drawings, which are not drawn to scalefor ease of understanding, wherein the same reference numbers usedthroughout different figures designate the same or similar components.

FIGS. 1-4 depict various aspects of computing, including cloudcomputing, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and customizing mirror virtual machines 96 asdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a hardware overview of a computing node 10, which may bea cloud computing node, in accordance with one or more aspects set forthherein. By way of example, computing node 10 may generally be any of thecomputing devices described herein, such as network devices, clientcomputers, server computers, etc.

Program/utility 40 as set forth in FIG. 1 can include one or moreprogram 440 as set forth in FIG. 4, and program/utility 40 as set forthin FIG. 1 can optionally include some or all of one or more program 441,442, 443, 444, 445.

One or more program 440 can have a set (at least one) of programmodules, and may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, programdata, and one or more program, or some combination thereof, may includean implementation of a networking environment. One or more program 440(and optionally at least one of one or more program 441, 442, 443, 444,445) generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies ofembodiments of the invention as described herein, such as customizingmirror virtual machines 96.

Referring again to FIG. 4:

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a system 100, in accordance withone or more aspects set forth herein. In the embodiment of FIG. 5,system 100 includes numerous devices, which may be or include computingnodes 10 as previously described, connected by a network 102. Forexample, network 102 may be a physical network or a virtual network. Aphysical network can be, for example, a physical telecommunicationsnetwork connecting numerous computer nodes or systems, such as computerservers and computer clients. By contrast a virtual network can, forexample, combine numerous physical networks or parts thereof into alogical virtual network. In another example, numerous virtual networkscan be defined over a single physical network.

By way of explanation, FIG. 5 depicts an example environment in whichnumerous attendees of an educational training or demonstration (demo)use attendee nodes 110 (e.g., computing nodes) to participate in thetraining or demonstration. In one or more embodiments, a demonstrator ortrainer makes use of a demonstration (demo) node 120 to control ademonstration (demo) virtual machine (VM).

For instance, a demonstration can begin, with network 102 allowingconnection of attendee nodes 110 to receive output of demonstration VM122. In such a case, all attendees may initially follow along in thedemonstration as conducted by a demonstrator via input entered atdemonstration node 120 controlling software running on demonstrationvirtual machine 122.

In addition, a service VM 135 (e.g., a virtual machine controller) and ahypervisor 130 may be used to monitor, create, delete, and managevirtual machines running on one or more host computers. For example, avirtual machine (VM) pool may include one or more computing nodes orhosts running one or more mirror virtual machines 112.

Further, during operation of system 100, service VM 135 may be used toallow attendees to get customized mirror virtual machines to haveindividual training experiences, as explained in further detail herein.

FIG. 6 depicts embodiments of a process for customizing mirror virtualmachines, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein. Byway of example, the processes described with respect to FIG. 6 can beperformed using one or more program 440 on one or more device 125 (FIG.5), as detailed with respect to FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, one or more program 440 at block 710synchronizes at least one mirror virtual machine with a demonstrationvirtual machine, the synchronizing comprising mirroring demonstrationinput events to the at least one mirror virtual machine; and one or moreprogram 440 at block 720 customizes the at least one mirror virtualmachine, the customizing comprising suspending the synchronizing andfacilitating sending of attendee input events to the at least one mirrorvirtual machine.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 710 clones thedemonstration virtual machine to create the at least one mirror virtualmachine, the cloning comprising initializing the at least one mirrorvirtual machine, and copying demonstration virtual machine stateinformation to the at least one mirror virtual machine.

In another embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 720 decrementsan available mirror virtual machine counter, and one or more program 440at block 710 clones the demonstration virtual machine to create anothermirror virtual machine responsive to the available mirror virtualmachine counter having a certain value.

In a further embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 710 recordsthe demonstration input events from a demonstration computing node, thedemonstration computing node being connected to the demonstrationvirtual machine.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 720 receives anattendee customization request from an attendee computing node connectedto the mirror virtual machine, one or more program 440 at block 720stops connection of the attendee computing node and the demonstrationvirtual machine, and one or more program 440 at block 720 facilitatesconnection of the attendee computing node and the at least one mirrorvirtual machine. In such a case, for example, one or more program 440 atblock 720 facilitates connection of the attendee computing node and thedemonstration virtual machine responsive to an attendee drop request,and one or more program 440 at block 720 deletes the at least one mirrorvirtual machine.

In another embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 720 facilitatessending at least keyboard input or mouse input from the attendeecomputing node to the at least one mirror virtual machine. For example,such a technique may allow the attendee control the mirror virtualmachine(s) and support the attendee's individual operations.

In a further embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 710 mirrors atleast keyboard input or mouse input received by the demonstrationvirtual machine from a demonstration computing node to the at least onemirror virtual machine to facilitate mirror virtual machine stateinformation being synchronized with demonstration virtual machine stateinformation.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 710 mirrorsoperating system events or application events of the demonstrationvirtual machine to the at least one mirror virtual machine to facilitatemirror virtual machine state information being synchronized withdemonstration virtual machine state information.

In another embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 710 updates anoperating system or an application running on the at least one mirrorvirtual machine with the operating system or application events of thedemonstrator virtual machine.

In one or more embodiments, one or more program 440 at block 710 createsa live snapshot of a running demonstration virtual machine, beginsrecording demonstrator events from the moment of the live snapshot, andclones a demonstrator virtual machine. In such a case, one or moreprogram 440 at block 710 may clone the demonstrator virtual machine bycopying state information from the live snapshot to a clone virtualmachine (i.e., a mirror virtual machine) and then after the copying,feeding the recorded demonstrator events to the mirror virtual machineto ensure synchronization of state. In one example, a fast clone maytake approximately 1-2 minutes to launch, because the fast clone mayrequire a specific operating system and application load to be retrievedby a hypervisor, host computing resources to be allocated, and theoperating system and application load to be launched, before stateinformation can be copied.

In other embodiments, an overlay VXLAN may be used to isolate mirrorvirtual machines from a demonstrator virtual machine, helping tosynchronize keyboard and mouse events, including network and hostnamerelated operations. In a further example, high-availability or loadbalancing demonstrations can be conducted, and instead of a singledemonstration virtual machine, a set of multiple demonstration virtualmachines can be mirrored.

FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrams illustrating further aspects of a process forcustomizing mirror virtual machines, in accordance with one or moreaspects set forth herein. By way of explanation, in FIGS. 7A-7D,processes are illustrated from the point of view of a service one ormore program 440 (e.g., running on service VM 135 of FIG. 5),demonstration (demo) node one or more program 441 (e.g., running on demonode 120 of FIG. 5), a demonstration (demo) virtual machine (VM) one ormore program 442 (e.g., running on demo VM 122 of FIG. 5), mirrorvirtual machine one or more program 443 (e.g., running on mirror VM1 ofFIG. 5), mirror virtual machine one or more program 444 (e.g., runningon mirror VM2 of FIG. 5), attendee node one or more program 445 (e.g.,running on attendee node 1 of FIG. 5), and attendee node one or moreprogram 446 (e.g., running on attendee node 2 of FIG. 5). In addition,one or more program 440 at block 710 (FIG. 6) synchronizing at least onevirtual machine can include one or more program 440-446 performing oneor more of blocks 710 a-710 j (FIGS. 7A-7D). Further, one or moreprogram 440 at block 720 (FIG. 6) customizing at least one virtualmachine can include one or more program 440-446 performing one or moreof blocks 720 a-720 j (FIGS. 7A-7D).

In one or more embodiments, some or all of the programs 440-446 may runon a different collection of physical or virtual machines or processors,depending on the need for scalability of the system. In one specificexample, all of the mirror virtual machines could run on a singlemulti-processor server system. In another specific example, variousportions of service one or more program 440 may run on differentprocessors running on different computing nodes, in order to support alarge system with multiple simultaneous demonstrators each serving adifferent pool of attendees.

By way of overview, FIG. 7A illustrates, at least in part, aspects ofthe present disclosure in which multiple attendees may follow along witha demonstration, as well as mirror virtual machines being synchronizedby, for example, cloning. In addition, FIG. 7B illustrates, at least inpart, synchronization of mirror virtual machines by mirroring inputevents. Further, FIG. 7C illustrates, at least in part, customizing afirst mirror virtual machine for a first attendee, showing ademonstration virtual machine for a second attendee, and synchronizing asecond mirror virtual machine. In addition, FIG. 7D illustrates, atleast in part, individually customizing the first and second mirrorvirtual machines for the first and second attendees. In one or moreembodiments, such processes may be expanded to include more mirrorvirtual machines, to support simultaneous pools of attendees eachparticipating in one or more different demonstrations.

With reference to FIG. 7A, in one embodiment, demonstration node one ormore program 441 at block 701 sends input, such as keyboard and/or mouseinput, for example, generated by a demonstrator operating demonstrationnode 120 (FIG. 5). In one example, demonstration VM one or more program442 at block 702 processes the input, for example, by enabling controlof demonstration virtual machine 122 (FIG. 5).

In one or more embodiments, for example in which two attendees areattending a demonstration, and are simply following along viewing ratherthan interacting, demonstration virtual machine one or more program 442at block 703 sends output of the demonstration virtual machine, suchoutput including one or more of visual, audio, printing, video, etc., tothe attendee nodes.

By way of example, attendee node 1 one or more program 445 at block 704receives the output of the demonstration virtual machine, and attendeenode 2 one or more program 446 at block 705 also receives the output ofthe demonstration virtual machine. During the course of thedemonstration, blocks 701-705 may repeat numerous times, allowing theattendees to follow along with the demonstration, for example as passiveobservers.

In another embodiment, service one or more program 440 at block 710 abegins a synchronizing process, and requests demonstration virtualmachine state information. For example, service one or more program 440can begin a cloning process responsive to an available mirror virtualmachine counter N reaching a certain value, such as N=0. In response,demonstration virtual machine one or more program 442 at block 710 bprovides the demonstration virtual machine state information to theservice virtual machine. For example, state information can includeinformation regarding each running operating system or componentthereof, applications, utilities, and other programs, along withinformation as to what files may be loaded, etc. In another example,state information may include hibernation data of the demonstrationvirtual machine that can be used to enable the virtual machine totemporarily shut down and reboot later with the same state. In a furtherexample, state information may include keyboard and mouse, or any otherinput, information.

In one embodiment, service one or more program 440 at block 710 ccreates two clones of the demonstration virtual machine by initializingmirror virtual machine 1 (VM1) and mirror virtual machine 2 (VM2),copying the obtained demonstration virtual machine state information tothe mirror virtual machines, and setting N=2. In particular, mirror VM1one or more program 443 at block 710 d initializes mirror VM1 and copiesthe obtained virtual machine state information to mirror VM1. Inaddition, mirror VM2 one or more program 444 at block 710 e initializesVM2 and copies the obtained virtual machine state information to mirrorVM2. In such a manner, two mirror virtual machines may be created. Inanother example, multiple mirror virtual machines may be created on thesame host computing node, rather than on separate computing nodes,depending on the performance requirements of the virtual machines.

With reference to FIG. 7B, in one or more embodiments, demonstrationnode one or more program 441 at block 710 f sends input to ademonstration virtual machine. For instance, demonstration virtualmachine one or more program 442 at block 710 g processes the input asbefore, but now also forwards the input to the service node. In oneexample, demonstration virtual machine one or more program 442 mayinclude an event monitor, and the event monitor may have been commandedby the service node to forward input to service one or more program 440.In such an example, service one or more program 440 at block 710 h mayrecord the demonstration input events that were received from thedemonstration node, and proceed to mirror such demonstration inputevents to the mirror virtual machines. For example, the input mayinclude keyboard and/or mouse input, or operating system or applicationevents. In one example, the demonstration node can send such events inreal-time to the service node. In another example, the events may becollected and sent in a batch mode to the service node.

In one or more embodiments, mirror VM1 one or more program 443 at block710 i, and/or mirror VM2 one or more program 444 at block 710 j receivethe mirrored input sent by the service node, and process the receivedinput to facilitate keeping the mirror virtual machines insynchronization with the demonstration virtual machine. In one example,the events may include keystrokes or mouse movements that lead tolaunching of programs. In another example, the events may be internallygenerated operating system events that are replicated and/or mirrored tothe synchronized mirror virtual machines.

With reference to FIG. 7C, in one or more embodiments, attendee node 1one or more program 445 at block 720 a sends an attendee customizationrequest to the service node. Such a request may be sent when anattendee, who has been following along the demonstration, decides toembark upon an individualized experience during the training, anddesires to start the individualized experience by branching off from thedemonstration at a particular moment. In such an example, in oneembodiment, service node one or more program 440 at block 720 b in turnsends the attendee customization request to the demonstration virtualmachine.

In one embodiment, demonstration virtual machine one or more program 442at block 720 c stops connection of the attendee computing node and thedemonstration virtual machine, so that the attendee no longer receivesthe output of the demonstration virtual machine. In addition, servicenode one or more program 440 at block 720 b decrements the availablemirror virtual machine counter to N=1, and facilitates connection ofmirror virtual machine VM 1 and attendee node 1. Further, service nodeone or more program 440 at block 720 b suspends synchronizing mirrorvirtual machine 1 and the demonstration virtual machine.

In one embodiment, for instance, mirror VM1 one or more program 443 atblock 720 d receives a message from the service node, and beginsconnecting its input and output to the output and input, respectively,of attendee node 1. Similarly, attendee node 1 one or more program 445at block 720 e begins connecting its output and input to the input andoutput, respectively of mirror VM1. In such a manner, mirror virtualmachine 1 is customized, and can offer an individualized trainingexperience to the attendee who is operating attendee node 1. In anotherexample, after the attendee finishes individualized training, theattendee may send a drop request to the service node and resumereceiving the output of the demonstration virtual machine. In addition,the attendee can decide to once again branch off for an individualizedtraining experience, and be connected to another mirror virtual machine.Simultaneously with attendee 1 receiving a customized trainingexperience, attendee 2 can continue to benefit from the shared trainingfrom the demonstration virtual machine, through execution of blocks 710f-h, 710 j.

With respect to FIG. 7D, in one or more embodiments, mirror VM2 one ormore program 446 at block 720 f sends an attendee customization requestto the service node. In such an example, in one embodiment, service nodeone or more program 440 at block 720 g in turn sends the attendeecustomization request to the demonstration virtual machine. In oneembodiment, demonstration virtual machine one or more program 442 atblock 720 h stops connection of the attendee computing node and thedemonstration virtual machine, so that the attendee no longer receivesthe output of the demonstration virtual machine. In addition, servicenode one or more program 440 at block 720 g decrements the availablemirror virtual machine counter to N=0, and facilitates connection ofmirror virtual machine VM2 and attendee node 2. Further, service nodeone or more program 440 at block 720 g suspends synchronizing mirrorvirtual machine 2 and the demonstration virtual machine.

In one embodiment, for instance, mirror VM2 one or more program 444 atblock 720 i receives a message from the service node, and beginsconnecting its input and output to the output and input, respectively,of attendee node 2. Similarly, attendee node 2 one or more program 446at block 720 j begins connecting its output and input to the input andoutput, respectively of mirror VM2. In such a manner, mirror virtualmachine 2 is customized, and can offer an individualized trainingexperience to the attendee who is operating attendee node 2.Simultaneously, both attendees 1, 2, may receive customized trainingexperiences. In one embodiment, service one or more program 440 at block720 g, responsive to N=0, can clone another mirror virtual machine tofacilitate further customization by the attendees.

In one or more embodiments, a cloud computing network for supporting thetechniques described herein may include multiple remote locations, whichare connected via a layer 2 and/or layer 3 network. For instance, afirst remote location may include two host computing nodes, e.g., host Aand host B, and a second remote location may include one host computingnode, e.g., host C. For example, host A and host B may be connected to afirst virtual or overlay network, and host C may be connected to asecond virtual or overlay network. Each of the virtual or overlaynetworks may be connected to the layer 2 and/or layer 3 network, whichmay in turn be connected to a public internet.

In a further example, host A may host two demonstrator virtual machinesVM1 and VM1′. In such a case, host B may host two mirror virtualmachines, each of which mirrors VM1 and VM1′ respectively. Further, hostC may host two more mirror virtual machines, each of which also mirrorsVM1 and VM1′ respectively. In such a manner, mirror virtual machines maybe efficiently hosted in a geographically dispersed configuration tofacilitate large scale deployments of the techniques described herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form ofcomprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form ofhave, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include,such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form ofcontain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linkingverbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,”“includes,” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses thoseone or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or anelement of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains”one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, adevice or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured inat least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are notlisted.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description set forth herein has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of one or more aspects set forth herein and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand one or more aspects as described herein for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: synchronizing, by one ormore processor, at least one first virtual machine with a second virtualmachine, the synchronizing comprising mirroring first input events fromthe second virtual machine to the at least one first virtual machine;and customizing, by the one or more processor, the at least one firstvirtual machine, the customizing comprising suspending the synchronizingand facilitating sending of second input events to the at least onefirst virtual machine, wherein the synchronizing the at least one firstvirtual machine with a second virtual machine includes synchronizingfirst and second first virtual machines VM1 and VM2 to the secondvirtual machine, and wherein the customizing includes (a) with a firstuser computing node of a first user connected to the second virtualmachine and a second user computing node of a second user connected tothe second virtual machine receiving a first customization request fromthe first user computing node initiated by the first user; (b)responsively to the first customization request and concurrently whileVM2 remains synchronized to the second virtual machine suspending thesynchronizing between the second virtual machine and VM1 and initiatingsending input events of the second input events to VM1; (c) with thefirst user computing node of a first user connected to VM1 and with thesecond user computing node of a second user remaining connected to thesecond virtual machine receiving a second customization request from thesecond user computing node initiated by the second user; and (d)responsively to the second customization request suspending thesynchronizing between the second virtual machine and VM2, connecting thesecond user computing node to VM2 and initiating sending input events ofthe second input events from the second user computing node to VM2. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing comprises cloning thesecond virtual machine to create the at least one first virtual machine,the cloning comprising initializing the at least one first virtualmachine, and copying second virtual machine state information to the atleast one first virtual machine.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thecustomizing comprises decrementing a counter, and the synchronizingcomprises cloning the second virtual machine to create another virtualmachine responsive to the counter having a certain value.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the synchronizing comprises recording the firstinput events from a computing node, the computing node being connectedto the second virtual machine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thecustomizing comprises receiving a customization request from a computingnode connected to the second virtual machine, stopping connection of thecomputing node and the second virtual machine, and facilitatingconnection of the computing node and the at least one first virtualmachine.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the customizing furthercomprises facilitating connection of the computing node and the secondvirtual machine responsive to a drop request, and deleting the at leastone first virtual machine.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein thecustomizing comprises facilitating sending at least keyboard input ormouse input from the computing node to the at least one first virtualmachine.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing comprisesmirroring at least keyboard input or mouse input received by the secondvirtual machine from a computing node to the at least one first virtualmachine.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing comprisesmirroring operating system events or application events of the secondvirtual machine to the at least one first virtual machine.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the synchronizing further comprises updatingan operating system or an application running on the at least one firstvirtual machine with the operating system or application events of thesecond virtual machine.
 11. A computer program product comprising: acomputer readable storage medium readable by one or more processor andstoring instructions for execution by the one or more processor forperforming a method comprising: synchronizing, by one or more processor,at least one first virtual machine with a second virtual machine, thesynchronizing comprising mirroring first input events to the at leastone first virtual machine; and customizing, by the one or moreprocessor, the at least one first virtual machine, the customizingcomprising suspending the synchronizing, and facilitating sending ofsecond input events to the at least one first virtual machine, whereinthe synchronizing the at least one first virtual machine with a secondvirtual machine includes synchronizing first and second first virtualmachines VM1 and VM2 to the second virtual machine, and wherein thecustomizing includes (a) with a first user computing node of a firstuser connected to the second virtual machine and a second user computingnode of a second user connected to the second virtual machine receivinga first customization request from the first user computing nodeinitiated by the first user; (b) responsively to the first customizationrequest and concurrently while VM2 remains synchronized to the secondvirtual machine suspending the synchronizing between the second virtualmachine and VM1 and initiating sending input events of the second inputevents to VM1; (c) with the first user computing node of a first userconnected to VM1 and with the second user computing node of a seconduser remaining connected to the second virtual machine receiving asecond customization request from the second user computing nodeinitiated by the second user; and (d) responsively to the secondcustomization request suspending the synchronizing between the secondvirtual machine and VM2, connecting the second user computing node toVM2 and initiating sending input events of the second input events fromthe second user computing node to VM2.
 12. The computer program productof claim 11, wherein the synchronizing comprises cloning the secondvirtual machine to create the at least one first virtual machine, thecloning comprising initializing the at least one first virtual machine,and copying second virtual machine state information to the at least onefirst virtual machine.
 13. The computer program product of claim 11,wherein the customizing comprises decrementing a counter, and thesynchronizing comprises cloning the second virtual machine to createanother first virtual machine responsive to an available first virtualmachine counter having a certain value.
 14. The computer program productof claim 11, wherein the synchronizing comprises recording the firstinput events from a computing node, the computing node being connectedto the second virtual machine.
 15. The computer program product of claim11, wherein the customizing comprises facilitating connection of acomputing node and the at least one first virtual machine responsive toa customization request.
 16. A system comprising: a memory; one or moreprocessor in communication with the memory; and program instructionsexecutable by the one or more processor via the memory to perform amethod, the method comprising: synchronizing, by one or more processor,at least one first virtual machine with a second virtual machine, thesynchronizing comprising mirroring first input events from the secondvirtual machine to the at least one first virtual machine; andcustomizing, by the one or more processor, the at least one firstvirtual machine, the customizing comprising suspending the synchronizingand facilitating sending of second input events to the at least onefirst virtual machine, wherein the synchronizing the at least one firstvirtual machine with a second virtual machine includes synchronizingfirst and second first virtual machines VM1 and VM2 to the secondvirtual machine, and wherein the customizing includes (a) with a firstuser computing node of a first user connected to the second virtualmachine and a second user computing node of a second user connected tothe second virtual machine receiving a first customization request fromthe first user computing node initiated by the first user, (b)responsively to the first customization request and concurrently whileVM2 remains synchronized to the second virtual machine suspending thesynchronizing between the second virtual machine and VM1 and initiatessending input events of the second input events to VML (c) with thefirst user computing node of a first user connected to VM1 and with thesecond user computing node of a second user remaining connected to thesecond virtual machine receiving a second customization request from thesecond user computing node initiated b the second user: and (d)responsively to the second customization request suspending thesynchronizing between the second virtual machine and VM2, connecting thesecond user computing node to VM2 and initiating sending input events ofthe second input events from the second user computing node to VM2. 17.The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing the at least one firstvirtual machine with a second virtual machine includes synchronizingfirst and second first virtual machines VM1 and VM2 to the secondvirtual machine, and wherein the customizing includes (a) with a firstuser computing node of a first user connected to the second virtualmachine and a second user computing node of a second user connected tothe second virtual machine receiving a first customization request fromthe first user computing node initiated by the first user; and (b)responsively to the first customization request and concurrently whileVM2 remains synchronized to the second virtual machine suspending thesynchronizing between the second virtual machine and VM1, connecting thefirst user computing node to VM1 and initiating sending input events ofthe second input events from the first computing node to VM1.
 18. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the synchronizing the at least one firstvirtual machine with a second virtual machine includes synchronizingfirst and second first virtual machines VM1 and VM2 to the secondvirtual machine, wherein the second virtual machine is a trainingdemonstration virtual machine for facilitating training of users andwherein the customizing includes (a) with a first user computing node ofa first user connected to the second virtual machine and a second usercomputing node of a second user connected to the second virtual machinereceiving a first customization request from the first user computingnode initiated by the first user; and (b) responsively to the firstcustomization request and concurrently while VM2 remains synchronized tothe second virtual machine suspending the synchronizing between thesecond virtual machine and VM1, connecting the first user computing nodeto VM1 and initiating sending input events of the second input eventsfrom the first computing node to VM1.
 19. The method of claim 1, whereinthe method includes responsively to the suspending determining whetherthere are any available virtual machines synchronized to the secondvirtual machine and based on the determination that there are zeroavailable virtual machines synchronized to the second virtual machine,cloning a mirror virtual machine of the second virtual machine.
 20. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second events include user initiatedevents sent from a user computing node connected to the at least onefirst virtual machine.